A couple of weeks ago I got a media release from ARB—an invitation to a video presentation introducing “one of the most significant products in ARB’s history.”
I was suitably intrigued. It’s no secret that I find ARB’s products to be consistently among the very best on the market, and several of them—the Twin air compressor, the ARB diff lock, the Intensity driving lamps, Old Man Emu suspension—have no peers. In fact, the only recent ARB product that underwhelmed me was their Pureview 800 flashlight, a serviceable but mediocre effort.
So what could “one of the most significant product’s in ARB’s history” be?
I considered. Hmm . . . what about a winch? That seemed to be a notable hole in the inventory. Given that the two best winches on the market right now—the Warn 8274 and the Superwinch Husky—are each decades old, an opportunity seemed to present itself.
Others: an overland-capable trailer? Several Facebook friends suggested products for the upcoming Ford Bronco. Hmm . . .
So I tuned in at the specified time, typed in my super-secret media password, and heard that what I would be learning about was ARB’s new . . . BASE roof rack (for Build, Attach, Set, Explore).
Wait. Seriously, I thought? A roof rack? That’s it? But I settled in to watch.
And, the more I watched, the straighter I sat in my chair and the closer attention I paid.
No, I wouldn’t call a new roof rack earthshaking, even from ARB. However, I do think the company has advanced roof-rack design by a significant leap over the competition. Here’s why.
The basis of the rack is a fully welded aluminum structure, available in six sizes, from 45 by 50 inches up to 50 by 84. Each member is of hollow, boxed construction, with an additional internal reinforcing strut running its entire length—lending great strength with minimal weight. The rack’s crossbeams are oriented transversely, which reduces each beam’s length compared to longitudinal beams, further increasing rigidity. (Transverse beams also offer better support for carrying long items.) The only potential downside is increased wind noise, and ARB claims their tests indicate that most noise is generated at the front beam, for which they have introduced a wind deflector. The only bolts in the rack are on the corner pieces, which can be removed to run wiring internally.
The really clever innovation is the dovetail extrusion running along the side of each beam, to which all the tie-down brackets and accessories mount. Since the dovetails sit below the level of the rack floor, they do not interfere with cargo. Unlike T-slots, they will not pack up with dirt and debris, yet placement and arrangement of tie-down points and accessories is virtually unlimited, and the full strength and stiffness of each beam runs through the dovetail. (If you already have a bunch of T-slot accesories, adapters are available.)
The dovetails make it easy to equip the rack with a perimeter rail in whatever configuration you like: full, quarter, three-quarter, and “trade,” the latter of which only runs along the sides to facilitate loading ladders, lumber, etc., and would be the way to go if you carry an Oz Tent.
The dedicated premium mount for a Hi-Lift jack is brilliant. The mounts rotate out to form a cradle for the jack, making it easy for one person to load or unload. Well done.
Eyebolt attachments for the dovetails facilitate the use of standard ratchet straps; ARB also offers custom ratchet straps with dovetail-compatible ends.
A recovery track base allows fitment of brand-specific attachments for MaxTrax and other recovery boards. And of course there are specific mounts for a range of other accessories—not all of which I recommend carrying on a roof rack at the same time.
I’m not a fan of roof-rack mounted driving lamps; nor am I a fan of light bars; however, ARB has designed a very stylish light bar that integrates beautifully with the front of the rack. You might not have even noticed it in the photo above.
Of course a full range of mounting brackets will be available in addition to a rain-gutter option.
I think roof racks should be used and loaded with discretion, for reasons of weight and CG in addition to windage issues. However, if you need one, first impressions are that the ARB BASE rack should be at the top of your list. I hope to lay my hands on one soon and give it a full workout.
